Inter march into healthy lead

FC Internazionale Milano moved seven points clear at the top of Serie A thanks to a 2-0 win at AS Livorno Calcio and UC Sampdoria's goalless draw against AS Bari – which cost the Blucerchiati second place.

In-form Milito
Juventus spurned the chance to go within a point of José Mourinho's titleholders on Saturday, surrendering a two-goal lead to lose 3-2 at home to SSC Napoli. That gave the Nerazzurri the perfect chance to stamp their authority at the summit, and they duly did so thanks to Diego Milito's clinical turn and shot on 49 minutes – his seventh league goal of the campaign – and Maicon's clincher ten minutes from time.

Ten against ten
News of Sampdoria's stalemate with Bari, which leaves the Genoa club alongside Juventus on 21 points, served to compound Inter's domestic dominance ahead of their UEFA Champions League trip to FC Dynamo Kyiv. ACF Fiorentina prepared for the visit of Debreceni VSC on Matchday 4 with a 3-1 triumph over Calcio Catania, moving them into fifth. The Viola went ahead through Marco Marchionni (4) but were reduced to ten men on the stroke of half-time when Dario Dainelli was shown a straight red card. Giuseppe Mascara struck three minutes after the break to draw Catania level but Ciro Capuano's dismissal on 59 minutes restored parity of numbers and allowed Cesare Prandelli's men to pounce through goals from Marchionni (69) and Alberto Gilardino (86).

Siena still bottom
Catania are one point clear of bottom-placed AC Siena, who drew 1-1 with S.S. Lazio. Bologna FC fared less well at Lazio's city rivals AS Roma, losing 2-1 despite taking the lead. Cagliari Calcio are ninth after a 3-0 triumph over Atalanta BC in which all three goals arrived before half-time, while Udinese Calcio drew 1-1 at AC Chievo Verona. Genoa CFC, meanwhile, are seventh after a 0-0 draw with US Città di Palermo.